Considering NOD but

I guess I can add my 2 cents here. I come with a lot of experience with testing and using anti-viruses. I tested them all at home, because I got infected with a virus. After months of free trials and tests,

I came across NOD32. It’s kind of funny, because I almost didn’t buy it because of its user interface (version 1). I thought that was bad. I liked the more compact look. I was using Norman, which at it’s time was probably considered one of the best anti-viruses. They were also from Scandinavia. Light foot print, scan rates were fast. Then I got hit with a viruses, it couldn’t clean it. I had to reformat my computer because it wouldn’t let me install another anti-virus. From that point, I became obsessed with finding the right/best one. I’ve tested them all free ones, cheap ones, and expensive ones.

Now the company I work for used Norman on all the workstations, and Symantec on the servers. I took on the project of implementing NOD32. With the volume license I saved over 10 grand. Ever since then we have been ecstatic with NOD32. It has caught viruses that Symantec has let slide by, thanks to AH. Nod32 helped my review.

Hope this helps with your choice.

 

Hi Everyone,

I used to use NOD, but one day a few viruses got through and even the NOD GUI used to get wiped a lot and I would be left with an empty shell. I got rid of some of the nasties using other AV's which picked up the viruses immediately whereas NOD didn't. At that time support didn't answer about 5 emails I sent so I rang them and asked for a refund. I also had problems listening to live media with Real Player. The http scanner would slow down the stream so I couldn't listen to it (jerky). I ended up going for Bit Defender Pro and never had any security related problems but had an issue with their new version. Just after an update the Windows Security Center would report I had no AV but BD said it was on and eventually I just uninstalled it and went for AVG. Have had AVG free version for about 2 months and no issues or problems so far. I'm still interested in getting a commercial AV and am open minded even with NOD but although it's got a perfect record in tests I did get hit with a virus which other AV's detected and NOD didn't.

One of the main problems I had with NOD was that now and again it's GUI got wiped. Was never able to get any support because my emails were never answered so I ditched it. I never ever had the problem of the GUI being wiped with any other AV so I thought it a bit strange. It seems that the virus was able to disable some of NOD's functions so I basically lost confidence in it and became afraid to use it again. Although it has a great record in lab tests it let me down badly in real life & I've been searching for an AV since.

Dave

 

I have used NOD32 for 4 years and KAV or a KAV AV for over 6 years. Currently I have NOD32 on a game machine used by a bunch of teens, a KAV AV on two machines provided free by my ISP and one of the free AVs on a forth machine.

We use NOD32 on the game machine due to its low CPU impact while gaming and BOClean.
http://www.slovakspectator.sk/clanok-358.html

Even though we have BOClean on that machine I haven't seen it react to anything NOD32 may have missed for over 7 months. NOD32 has really improved its Backdoors and Trojan detections.
Note: the On-demand comparatives, Feb. 2005 "Results over Backdoors, Trojans and other Malware detection" at
http://www.av-comparatives.org/
https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?p=402208#post402208

Also the NOD HTTP scanner provides additional benefits on the machine that is used by a bunch of teenagers who don't always practice safe computing habits. The following is a sample of the virus log showing just the NOD HTTP scanner results over several days where the scanner terminated the connection and stopped the infections from even downloading to the machine.

JS/TrojanDownloader.IstBar.A trojan connection terminated
Win32/TrojanDownloader.Agent.BP trojan connection terminated
Java/Exploit.Bytverify.F trojan connection terminated
Multiple infiltrations connection terminated
HTML/Exploit.ObjData trojan connection terminated
HTML/Exploit.Mht.A connection terminated
Win32/Adware.CWS.gen Application connection terminated
Win32/Dialer.NAD trojan connection terminated
Win32/Adware.MediaTickets.downloader Application connection terminated
WM/CAP.A virus connection terminated
Win32/TrojanDownloader.OTXloader.A trojan connection terminated

In addition, I have noted NOD32's Advanced Heuristic stop a number of infections on my end. I believe NOD32's AH is one of the current best heuristics and believe an AV needs both good timely definitions and also good heuristic detection, plus NOD32's AH has proven its ability to stop some zero-day high risk infections.

The above is from just my personal, real life, experience using NOD32 over an extended period of time and other AVs. I think NOD32 is a very good choice and recommend it.

 

Well now I am worried especially when I thought I had found a very efficient new AV and am in the process of making my decision to purchase NOD.

Bit worried about the NOD support of anything like a missing GUI should happen to me

I know I want to be safe from any virus and hope to keep my computers as clean as they always have been. Do we blame our AV's or does this happen at a time when an e-mail was opened which we should have handled with greater care in the first place? To me the first stop is effecient updates and my care of what I open and then my AV.

I know it is good to hear all sides of the NOD experience but it is 'disheartening' to read that NOD has missed a virus and even lost its own GUI

I do hope this is just like any other AV - AVG included that we will always read that someone has got a virus when using the software

EDIT: just read the post above after I posted which is a lot more encouraging for me.

 

While it is good to hear all sides of users experiences....it's also useful to read related info that begs the question....did NOD really miss a virus for some users

 

long and thread but I think I got to the end of it even though I am still

Is the general opinion we need 2 AV's when running NOD one to scan in case NOD misses something when scanning? I prefer to only have one AV and was depending on NOD to work along with my other layers but I would have to re-think if I was going to have to install another scanner or constantly scan online

 

Well, I've come across a lot of cases when NOD32 was the first to detect some real threats (worms, Trojans, etc.) whereas it took other AV several hours if not days to add signatures. Even now a lot of those samples are not picked up by some AVs.

No one has ever told NOD32 detect 100% of all viruses in the world, this idea is simply utopic. However, with the new version of NOD32 available shortly detection will be improved much more (not only thanks to generic detection), but also thanks to a brand new technology Eset is about to introduce.

 

Thanks Bubba for posting that link. Yes, I was having problems with NOD and did have infiltrations that it didn't pick up but that other AV scanners were able to detect and remove. I would always be more than happy to use NOD again if I could feel confident in it but after the infiltrations I had I just had no choice but to remove it. Unfortunately I was in such a bad way that I had to get rid of the files or face a re-install of Windows and the NOD GUI got wiped so I couldn't do anything with it. The other scanners didn't give me the option to submit so all I could do was delete the viruses but I would still like to know why the NOD GUI kept getting wiped now and again because that rendered it useless to me.

When I rang Eset they agreed that I was infiltrated but couldn't say why NOD hadn't picked it up and even said that if it had happened to them they too would have wanted a refund.

Anyway that's in the past and I'm still interested but if the GUI gets wiped again and if I get infiltrated then I wouldn't be too happy. So far since then I've had no infections with either Bit Defender Pro or AVG so is NOD any more stable now and can it offer me good protection instead of what happened before? If it can I might buy it but how do I reconcile that it didn't detect infiltrations other scanners found?

In another post I had written (before the infections) that it was the best so I had no reason to knock it except that it let me down. I've got no reason to stop using an AV that protects me but when the protection fails I have to do something and I can't accept responsibility for that one because other AV's were able to find the infection that NOD didn't.

I think what needs to be clarified here is this. Is NOD perfect or is it the best AV. I cannot say it is perfect and I don't believe that even it's most avid users can be that unrealistic. It still may be the best and that doesn't mean that it sometimes won't fail but just that it may be much better than the rest.

Users buying an AV shouldn't have unrealistic expectations and unfortunately all the hype around NOD seems to be saying it's perfect when it's not and even Eset will acknowledge that. There's no such thing as a perfect AV so I think if someone wants to buy NOD then what should be pointed out to him/her is what is better about it than the rest. Just saying it's perfect is unrealistic because I have had problems with it. I think NOD has become like a cult figure and that although it is good, people have even tried to call me a liar when I posted that I got infected because of the unwillingness to accept that it is not perfect. I told the truth and it was a fact that NOD got disabled and viruses got through and even Eset acknowledge that so the argument here I think should be what is better about NOD not whether it is perfect or not because that is an impossibility. No AV is perfect.

If you want to buy NOD because it's better than the rest then great but don't let people tell you it's perfect because there'll never be any such thing as a perfect AV. There is no 100% guarantee that you will not get infected so buy it with this in mind and you won't be disappointed but if you are wanting perfection - it simply doesn't exist.

Dave

 

Hi World C and Robyn .
As for the emails . I caught on to that BEFORE I even bought . It took forever to respond and when they did , they were not polite at all . And I was not having a problem . I HATE their tech support . It stinks ! Period !! But , I called after 4 days of nothing and they took good care of me . I think it is sad that their tech support was so bad . This was about a year ago . Sounds like nothing has changed . The product itself is one I love . I have tried many . Thankfully , I need not contact tech support again . I pray it stays that way . And Rob , do not worry . If you are trialing NOD and have it set up , no need for any support unless a system crash happens or you must redownload . It is pretty straight forward . It is an excellent AV . World Cs problem was in the minority I am sure . Things do happen . Nothing is perfect . You will hear good and bad about every program . But , NOD seldom has bad things that would cause you to drop it . You will drive yourself crazy asking and worrying about every little thing . Ask questions about another AV and you will see , NOD is at the top with a few others . You have chosen a great one to trial . If you try another , you will find that you have the same kinds of questions for that too and the answers may be alot worse . NOD IS in the upper eschelon og AV programs . Anyone that knows about AVs will not dis NOD because they know it is good . Some like others better but , that is ok . If they are honest though , they cannot tell you to walk away from NOD . IMO , you are fine . Good luck and hope that helps to ease your mind a bit

 

I would still advise a person to buy NOD. I'm even reconsidering it now. I did have bad luck but the virus problem only ever happened once so I was probably in a minority. It didn't ever happen before.

Some people are saying that it has improved and that new technology is coming soon. I was wondering about the GUI being wiped because I had it wiped on at least 3 occasions. I would reboot and it wouldn't load and then when I started it there was no script in the GUI, just a green border.

Any idea why this happened?

Dave

 

In my mind, this would depend upon your day to day Internet usage. If you are just the normal user then NOD32 would provide you with good protection.
However, if you frequently download from warez sites, porn sites, know probably infected sites, etc. then you should consider a second AV on demand scan no matter what AV you use.

To date the machine on which I just use NOD32 has never been infected.

It is a good idea to run one of the free on-line scanners from time to time as no AV detects 100% of the possible infections at any given time.
I do this about once a month.

 

Thanks for this post Holywood

I am inclined to worry a lot especially when I read posts which make me very uncertian. I suppose the fact I have just uninstalled an AV I knew and have never had a virus concerned me more as I did not want to open the doors to anything like that especially if I had to re-install Windows because I chose the wrong AV.

I do like NOD but am getting myself worried and also just found out all about the IMON component and have to start and work out this bit as applications have been added and now I have to work out which level to work at with them as they seem to be added (including NOD's update) at the higher efficiency level which I now know needs to be set from reading Blackspear's configs. Certainly a lot to learn about NOD - more than I first thought

Hopefully with reading on this forum it will help me to make ease my mind before my trial ends. Thanks again for the encouragement about NOD, a lot for me to consider especially if I choose it for my main PC also.

 

Sounds like NOD itself , was targeted . I have never heard of that . The GUI being wiped ALMOST sounds like an internal problem . It is just strange . And , Dave , do you use ProcessGuard ? If so , add NOD to the protection list and off you go . Wish I could help but , that is a new one on me .

 

Brilliant answer Stan but isn't an AV supposed to protect the user from even the red light districts because what's the use of having an AV that can only protect you when you go to CNN and Google which won't infect you? If I stick to just well known sites then I can surf all night even without any AV and not get infected but then I have no freedom to explore so what's the good of any AV if you can't explore the web?

Dave

 

lol . He was just trying to help . But , that was funny . Sorry .

 

I had Process guard installed at the time and NOD was in the list.
Now that I come to think of it I was having some strange problems and got some error messages in my Admin tools saying to replace the disk controller.

Anyway I didn't like the motherboard and replaced it with an Intel and my disk related problems disappeared. DCS told me to check disk corruption when I had problems with PG and now it turns out that my MB was no good and with my new one never had problems with PG so maybe I should give NOD another go. I may have got infected because the disk controller was not properly loading NOD and viruses were getting through because NOD may not have even loaded properly and so wasn't protecting when I thought it was. The program may have been unstable for ages and I only noticed the GUI which could explain why so many viruses got through.

Might buy NOD again on Friday.

Dave

 

Yes . It was most definately in your disk . So it was internal . Thought so . Well , whichever way you go , obviously use PG to protect . I know you already know that so , I will leave it at that . And Dave , NOD is about to have a nice little release coming up very soon . Antispyware / adware may be integrated . Along with some other niceties . Good luck my friend and , as always , a pleasure to see you around again . Bye

 

Hi Dave,

I was just responding to his question, "Is the general opinion we need 2 AV's..".

I think if you are a very high risk user that frequents warez sites, downloads a lot of hacked programs from IRC and P2P connections, etc. then you should use more then one AV on-demand scanner or online scanner as a layered defense even if you use KAV. However, for most folks one of the top AV scanners should provide sufficient protection.

If you feel that a high risk user should just rely on a single AV that is your call of course.

 

I would never go near any of those sites and only download software if I cannot purchase the actual disc etc the thought of any of those sites is enough to send me running never mind NOD no p2p software or chat rooms, I haven't even installed MSN messenger on this or re-installed it on my PC - safe as safe surfing can be. Anything suspicious at all I would panic to say the least. My main computer use is my website and forums with security as a priority. I am very selective as to what I install on any of my computers, do not even play games - maybe boring but it's me

The new version due out soon would be lovely to have this before my trial ends but I am not sure of NOD's release dates or ways to update from old versions.

 

evryone has thier own points on nod32. i tried all the av's i could get my hands on within the last couple of months. and with all the recc.'s on this site i even tested the likes of arcavir, even uav (ukraine anti virus) based on some peoples opinion here at wilder's. i liked kav very much but was a serious hog on my systems slowing dial up to snail like proportions. yes i know its dial up and yes i know it slow to begin with but waiting for pages to load was jst that snail like. everyone is gonna tell you that thier av is the best there is and there will never be anything better. i heard this everywhere except here on wilders. the people here were fairly unbiased making suggestions instead of saying nod sucks!! i have thrown everything i have or could get my hands on at nod with nothing but superb results. it may not have the detection rates that kav has or the hourly updates but i have found that it works for me and that is what you need to figure out. find one you like one that feels right to you , ask yourself do you like the gui do you like the features do you like the company?? i personally had to call eset on a few ocasions since last week when i did not get my user name and password. they were VERY polite and answered all my questions with the upmost respect. they even suggested to to me to try others before i bought nod especially kav. i respect this ; call kav and ask them what you could you instaed or compare it to , i have they laughed at me basically saying there is nothing except kav and it is the best there ever will be; this i find insulting. no av will ever be the best!!!! this can on and on forever they all can and will fail at one point or another.

just because agv worked well for you for a long time doesn't mean that next week it will not fail you. take everones recc's into account but also with a grain of salt and in the end you need to pick "your" antivirus program!!!

eset is in my opinion a great company so far all my dealings have been wonderful and very respectful even though i may have some "stupid" questions they did not make me feel that way. also remember the support you would get here at wilders MUCH BETTER THAN almost any any other av forums i have been on.

so (not being longwinded) but make your own desicion and remember it sofware, its not perfect and never will be perfect; very good maybe; spectacular maybe.

 

Thanks zfactor for your post, I certainly am learning a lot from this thread and my ulitmate decision. I have been looking at my settings again and am becoming familiar with the separate components.

Thankfully I have Wilder's to read in depth about NOD whereas with AVG I basically was on my own to set it up and work things out. I appreciate there is no supreme AV and although my post is full of doubts and worries, I feel I am getting somewhere now. Our own forums really focus on the well known and the free therefore NOD was completely new to me. I have my mind thinking and it is looking good again for my confidence with NOD. I know I have asked a lot of questions and posted a lot of worries but have no doubt all the information is helping to build my confidence with a new AV.

When I see posts on any forum about various security issues it normally reflects back on the user of the software and not exactly the software itself. I am coming out of a land of AVG & Avast! plus Norton/McAfee users (who may just mention NOD is passing but nothing more than that) and joining the ranks of NOD32 hoping more and more I will be fully into NOD as the little worries are smoothed out.

Thanks to all who have posted as this thread is full of information from many happy NOD users especially when most have tried various AV's in the past. As soon as I am confident (getting there) with the software I will certainly be ready to register and install the latest version and be able to tell others Homework and research are a good thing - just apologies for coming back with too many worries

 

Robyn .
I think the world of Blackspear . He knows alot AND is very kind and unbias . I must disagree here though . Just because he sets his to high does not mean that you have to . I , for one , do not have mine set like his . For instance , he use a deep heuristic scan . I do not . He sets to higher effiency , I do not . Am I protected ? Yes . As well as him ? Possibly better . POSSIBLY . The reason for that answer is , the chances of false positives are reduced signifigantly . I read his thoughts on settings a long time ago . I cannot remember if he says this is how it should be for everyone or if this is the way he chooses . I am not new to NOD . Nor am I knew to alot of these programs . And I do not set mine as he does . Still uninfected and motoring along happily . Just some food for thought . I hope that helps . I really do . Good luck

 

Nod is an extremely powerful Anti-virus program that can be fully tweaked or not. With my clients I tweak their systems for them and then it is set and forget.

Most people that purchase Nod32 (the greater majority) do not come to this forum or are even aware of it, so you are seeing the back room so to speak, and with this you will see (as you would with any anti-virus forum) issues and how they are dealt with.

Hope this helps...

Cheers

 

Take reports that NOD32 missed a virus--or any scanner, for that matter--with a grain of salt. Not that it isn't important, but it happens with all scanners.

I ran Kaspersky Anti-Virus (KAV) for a long time. KAV is widely touted as one of the very strongest detectors around, particularly for trojans. Well, I found two or three trojans that KAV missed completely, but which TDS-3 caught. I submitted them, Kaspersky added them, and that was that. (Please note that I didn't activate these trojans; I just came across them during normal activities and purposely tested them against KAV.)

It's the same for all products, including NOD32.

 

Agreed, there are discussions here on my settings:

https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=68104

Hope this helps...

Cheers